Golden monkeys have an
interesting lifestyle
Monkey tracking has come fast on the heels of the more
sought-after mountain gorilla tracking. With a new adventure dubbed ‘Golden
Monkey Experiential Tourism’, tourists can take a four-hour trek to see golden
monkeys frolic, feed, court, hop acrobatically in the trees and care for their
young ones.
The swift monkeys keep
themselves busy by pulling faces, grooming each other and flying between tree
branches. Currently, they are only found in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park,
Virunga National Park in DR. Congo, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Gishwati
forest and Nyungwe forests. Unlike human beings, monkeys and gorillas freely
move between the three countries without visas.
This golden monkeytrek gives one a chance to see the apes in action, petting and having a siesta.
According to researcher Sandra E. Gray, their groups are single male
multi-family, meaning there is only one resident male and several adult
females, plus young ones of varying ages.
However, for
reinforcement, between three and 11 outside males are accepted to join the
group temporarily during the breeding season.
For monkeys,
communication is done fluently by vocal sounds, sign language and facial
expressions. Grey says these have not yet been comprehensively studied and only
the most obvious gestures are understood to any degree.
Monkeys eat 33 record
plant species, including fruits and flowers. Their menu also comprises small
invertebrates and bamboo leaves, which make up the bulk of the diet.
The habitat of goldenmonkeys is in the evergreen semi-deciduous and bamboo forests. Uganda WildlifeAuthority (UWA) directorate of conservation has now completed the process of
habituating a family of golden monkeys for experiential tourism.
This is as a strategy
meant to diversify tourism activities. Tacking takes place strictly in the
mornings and afternoons within a 23– 50 hectare area to maximise the
experience.
“The fee is $100,
inclusive of the park entry fees. The maximum number per visiting group per day
will be six,” Ingrid Nyonza Nyakabwa, the UWA marketing manager, says. “You
will not have any regrets. It is money and time very well spent.”
Getting there
Bookings for the
golden monkey adventure are done at both the UWA headquarters on Plot 7 Kira
Road in Kamwokya between the Uganda Museum and the British High Commission.
Alternatively, they are available at the park office in Kisoro town or park
headquarters at Ntebeko.
Mgahinga GorillaNational Park is located in south-western Uganda. It can be accessed by road
and air. Kisoro town, at the foot of Mt. Muhabura, is about 540km from Kampala,
which takes about eight hours drive via Kabale on an excellent paved road
surface. Public transport by bus is available on a daily basis.
Mgahinga National Park
head office is located 13km from Kisoro town and can be accessed by public
transport. It is also accessible from Rwanda’s Chanika border post or Eastern
DRC’s Bunagana border post.
Accommodation is
available in Kisoro town, a gateway to the park which is adequately served by
upmarket and budget hotels. There is a private lodge at the edge of the park
and a privately run campsite right outside the park.
For more information
on other activities, visit the UWA website and the tariff rate card.
“This product is now
ready for the market,” Raymond Engena, the director Tourism Development and
Business Services, says. “The activity is a new product mixed with the
phenomenal Batwa Trail Cultural Experience, in addition to volcano hiking.”